The incident took place at Madathady junction in the eastern port town when Kirubairaja was returning home from his party office, which is located at Sea View Road, close to Inner Harbour Road junction, the police said.

The EPRLF is split into two wings. Former chief minister of the North East Province Mr. Annamalai Varathajaperumal leads one section, which is called 'Varathar' wing and the other by its Secretary General Mr. Suresh Premachchandran, which is called 'Suresh' wing.